Although eight riots and disturbances in 19 years may seem unusual to most ISU community members, Veishea working group members see them as examples of a nationwide trend.

During a meeting Wednesday that began at 5:30 p.m. and continued late into the night, a working group of the Veishea task force discussed findings in its report highlighting a rise in the number of “celebratory riots” across the country.

“People don’t see Veishea in the context of a national issue. We think of it as unique because this is only what we see and we think of it in the context of Veishea,” said working group member Jeff Johnson, the president of the ISU Alumni Association. “Findings, as they relate to a national trend say not to view Iowa State University as this island of violence and rioters.”

Johnson refers to a national survey of celebratory riot trends from 2002.

The survey identified 208 such riots — those that are not connected to protest — between 1985 and 2001. According to group conclusions, the April 18 riot was characterized by a mood of celebration, not protest.

“Most of the riot had the character of a game as rioters taunted police, dispersed as police approached and then reassembled,” said group member Gloria Betcher, representative of the South Campus Area Neighborhood Association.

Although individuals seem to be motivated by enjoyment, group members were unanimous that recommendations for canceling Veishea permanently would not necessarily prevent future riots.

“As long as even a small minority of students are interested in rioting, there is no guarantee that another celebratory riot at Iowa State can be prevented by canceling Veishea,” Johnson said. “However, we are suggesting some steps to the Veishea Task Force on Assuring Successful Veishea and Other Student/Community Celebrations to consider that we believe may make riots less likely.”

There was still overwhelming disagreement among group members as to the recommendations the group should submit at the task force’s next meeting on Wednesday.

After three hours and nearly 14 revisions to the Veishea working group report, members were still evaluating the report’s wording — word by word.

“By being at the level of choosing words to accurately and truthfully articulate our findings, it shows just how serious we are about this,” Betcher said.

Members contend, however, that they have been successful in finding certain categories and social cues that led to the riot.

“Two traditions have become associated with Veishea. One of these is the tradition of Veishea as a time to party and drink,” Johnson said. “The other is the completely negative tradition of Veishea as an occasion to riot.”

The opportunity to party is not necessarily a bad thing, Johnson said.

“Veishea has become moved from a recruiting tool and atmosphere for showcasing the university to a party atmosphere,” said working group chairman Steve Schainker, Ames city manager. “That’s not necessarily a problem, but when taken to an extreme, maybe it causes excessive drinking, which causes its own problems.”

Factors accounting for taking it to those extremes discussed by the group include having Veishea events close to many large house parties and crowds of bar attendees.

The group cited alcohol restrictions as an important cause of the riots as well.